Sam Philip
Health workers in Ondo State public health institutions have announced that they will embark on indefinite strike on Friday(tomorrow).
The workers under the auspices of National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) made the declaration on Thursday at an emergency meeting of the State Executive Council over the failure of the state government to honour the agreement on payment of the new salary scale and other fulfilment of other agreements.
In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the association, Felix A. Orobode and Lucky Okikiola Aremu respectively, the nurses and midwives declared that they would remain at home till the state government meet all their demands.
The health workers are demanding “payment of the balance of January 2025 salary as agreed with the 100 percent new salary table, correction of the 2022 conversion exercise where our members were indirectly demoted and lateral (point to point) conversion in subsequent Conversion Exercises.
“Payment of the arrears of promotion and hazard allowances, resumption of negotiation on uniform allowance for nurses as captured in the Public Service rule.”
The statement reads in parts: “It is pertinent to let the public be aware of what Ondo State Nurses have been enduring for some time now especially in terms of our welfare.
“Despite being the most available healthcare professional in our health facilities across all the 18 local governments in the State, our matters have always been handed with levity.
“With numerous rounds of negotiation, unwavering patience and significant concessions made by our Association, the government refused in honoring its commitment. Rather, one Profession in the health sector was being favored over others with the adjustment of their salary structure in July 2024.
Following the approval of the N73,000 minimum wage by His Excellency, the adjustment made on our salary structure (CONHESS) was marred with irregularities which our Association and other unions under the salary structure immediately rejected.
This necessitated another rounds of negotiation where a consensus was reached to have another table (CONHESS) with implementation from January 2025 salary.
“To our dismay, the January 2025 salary was paid with the old salary table which was never part of our agreement.
“The government’s refusal to address nurses’ welfare has left us with no other option but to take this action. Nurses can no longer endure the financial and professional neglect that has characterized our relationship with the government.
“The indefinite withdrawal of our services is not just a stand for better salaries -it is a demand for justice, equity, and recognition of the pivotal role nurses play in the healthcare system.
“We appeal to all well-meaning stakeholders and members of the public to understand and support our cause, as this action is ultimately in the best interest of Healthcare delivery in Ondo State.
“Finally, our members are therefore directed to stay off duty as from 12:00am Friday of 31st January, 2025 until our demands are met.”